PASTURE-RESEARCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 105, 4 May 1929, Page 22 (Supplement)

PASTURE-RESEARCH

PALMERSTON EXPERIMENTS | PROPOSED CERTIFICATION - . The Department of Agriculture, through the agency of the research J work of Air E. B. Levy (agrostologist), I proposes inaugurating during the 192930 season a scheme of certification for grass ami clover seeds. According to I a circular sent out to seed merchants 1 throughout, the Dominion. trials recently conducted by E. B. Levy (agros-1 lologist) hav e proved that trade des-1 criptions are frequently misleading as an indication of the type of plant or pasture likely to result from the sowing of that seed. For example, much of the perennial rye ami Western Wolths rye, it is claimed, is partly, or wholly, Italian. Certain of the brown top pastures are of a desirable, ami others of an undesirable type, ami a similar position exists in regard to red and white clovers. This being the case, it must be very evident that a merchant who i s not aware of the true nature of the seed he is handling is not in a position to give reliable advice to his clients ami therefore the farmer must frequently suffer loss as a result of sowing semi noy suited to his rm <|uiremen.s. The position also affects the export trade, which might be better stimulated were it possible for tin* oxerseas buyer to place- more reliance, on the categorisation of the lots shipped from Xew Zealand. The Department of Agriculture is anxious to assist in these matters without undue interference with existing trade relations, and to this eml has decided to introduce certification. It would seem that the registration of areas will be necessarv in the initial stages, and later it may be found that these areas can be grouped, ami that a particular type will cover a large tract of country as may be lhe case with Akaroa cocksfoot. This would simplify registration.

Two means of determining the type of plant are available: (1) Inspection of the area from which seed is to be harvested: (2) carefully observed field plot trials sown with semi obtained from each area. Inspection of areas would be the simpler means of identification if one had sufficient knowledge and experience, but until such is available it would seem essential to co-ordinate field inspections with plot frails. Conclusions arrived at from the observation of plot trials would not be available for some months after harvest, so that it becomes essential to sow these one year ahead of certification. It will he necessary to collect samples from the .1928-29 harvest for the results to be of assistance to certification in the 2929-30 season.

It is not possible 1o say just now how wide a field can be covered by certification next season, but an endeavour will bp made to deal with white elover, perennial rye, ami brown top, ami samples of these would be of particular value. Eventually no doubt red clover ami cocksfoot will be included. although they arc unlikely to have any bearing on the operations of the J 929-30 season. In each case if should be possible to trace the exad origin of the seed. TO REDUCE WEEDS Noxious weeds are spreading with alarming rapidity in the northern end of the Rangitikei Uo»:nty; so much so that much land which a few years ago was in the prosperous state of productivity is now practically joined. 'The matter was’mentioned at the Rangitikei County Council meeting last week, Cr. P. Pederson stating that something should be done to protect those farmers who were keeping their laud clean. The biggest problem was the spread of the weeds in boroughs and town districts and the meeting was of opinion that, there was an anomaly in the Act in that inspectors could not take action in these areas.

Thp following resolution was passed: —“That this council views with alarm .the rapid .spread of noxious weeds, such as ragwort, blackberry, hemlock, etc., in the streets ami vacant sections within, many boroughs ami town districts where Government inspectors have no authority to enforce the Noxious Weeds Act As these weeds are now the most serious menace farmers have to contend with, this council urges the Minister of Agriculture to bring all borough and town districts under the provisions of the Act, so that departmental inspectors may have the same authority as within the counties. ’ ’

Strangely enough, at the same meeting, it was decided no longer to call Californian thistle a noxious weed, in view of the fact that in recent years it has got beyond control. MILKING SHORTHORNS

TRUE TYPE DESCRIBED. The ideal pedigree milking Shorthorn, or dairy Shorthorn, as the breed is called in Great Britain, is a general utility or dualpurpose cow, capable of producing 60001 b. to 70001 b. of milk in lactation, and when dry, of covering her frame with level flesh so that she may finally sell for a satisfactory .price to the fattener or butcher. An English authority has given the following admirable description of the true dairy Shorthorn. He stated that “the cow should be straight in her lines, both on top and underneath, wide and deep, especially in the back and -hind-quart-ers, with wellsprung ribs. It is no serious fault if she is loss thick on top of the shoulder blades than a cow bred purely for beef. The shoulders should lie well into the back, and there must be no coarseness at the points. The flesh should be evenly laid on without patchiness about the rump or hips, and the tail well set in. The head is an important feature; it should be effeminate the eye prominent and placid, the muzzle broad and clear in colour, the horns not coarse, and with a delicate curve. The skin should bo soft and pliable, udder capacious and caried well up. beginning high between the thighs, and running well under the belly. When the cow has been milked out or when she is dry the udder should have a silky touch, with an abundance of loose and thin skin.

Teats should be a fair length, set well apart and evenly placed, the escutcheon well defined, and the milk veins prominent, with a large cavity. Such a cow as that described, with the possession of a gay and stylish carriage, whether she be red, white or roan, is to me of all animals the most fascinating.” In England the dairy Shorthorn has retained its position against all other breeds, and gained many new supporters. This is not surprising when the high level of milk production and the dual-purpose character of the brood are considered.